Why ISS Computers Failed

Geoffrey.landis writes "It was only a small news item four months ago: all three of the Russian computers that control the International Space Station failed shortly after the Space Shuttle brought up a new solar array. But why did they fail? James Oberg, writing in IEEE Spectrum, details the detective work that led to a diagnosis." The article has good insights into the role the ISS plays as a laboratory for US-Russian technology cooperation — something that is likely to be crucial in any manned Mars mission.

The REAL reason they failed

[Rebelgecko]

They "upgraded" to Vista.

They didn't bring the right travel adapters.

[NotQuiteReal]

Metric electricity vs Imperial electricity...

Hmmm

[K.os023]

Could this be the one place where it would be appropriate to mention that in Russia, crashes compute?


Or would that be "In Russia, crashes compute you!" ?

Re:Urgh.

[Hijacked Public]

If Leo Strauss taught us anything, and I think he has, it is that the Russians are to be blamed whether they deserve it or not.

Re:Urgh.

[Anonymous Coward]

Condensation, not condescension.

(Mold too...:)

Give it a rest

[cioxx]

Look people, I can see that ISS personnel are really upset about this. I honestly think they ought to sit down calmly, take a stress pill, and think things over. I know the computers had made some very poor decisions recently, but they can give explorers their complete assurance that the work will be back to normal. These machines still got the greatest enthusiasm and confidence in the mission. And they want to help.

Re:Urgh.

[istartedi]

For a split second, I thought you said it reeked of condensation towards the Russians.

Re:Urgh.

[Anonymous Coward]

Yeah but I don't know if the thoughts of a guy who made jeans really applies to this situation.

obligatory

[overcaffein8d]

in soviet russia, the computer crashes you!

Re:They didn't bring the right travel adapters.

[Cassius Corodes]

Proletarian electricity refused to mix with bourgeoisie electricity.

Re:Urgh.

[UncleTogie]

Hey, the truth hurts. Let's face it, Russian technology is not on the same level as US, Japanese, or Korean.

Lev Andropov: Armageddon: "Components. American components, Russian Components, ALL MADE IN TAIWAN!

Re:They didn't bring the right travel adapters.

[fractoid]

Metric electricity vs Imperial electricity...

Imperial electricity?

You... will... DIE!! *force lightningz!*

It's not surprising

[ClippySay]

/ You look like soviet russian. Do you  \
| break computers or do they break you? |
\ (Accept) (Yes) (Reboot) (Maybe later) /
     \
      \
       \     ____
        \   / __ \
         \  O|  |O|
            ||  | |
            ||  | |
            ||    |
             |___/

Re:Nyet, Dave.

[arivanov]

Slashdot didn't want to let me cut-'n-paste it in.

Nope it does not. I guess I will have to put that in phonetic transcription:

Tovarish Dave: Otkroj luk skotina.
Tovarish HAL: Pshel na huj

I wonder how you sing "Daisy Daisy" in Russian?

Margaritka, margaritka pshla na huj

That is modern Russian, the wonderful language of Pushkin and Chehov may slightly differ..

Re:Proper debugging technique

[rs79]

Uh yeah. The detective work here involved finding some wet connectors. And it didn't sound that complicated to me.

Try debugging the electrics on an 80s BMW some time. The manual for the door locks is 3 pages thick.

Hint: fuse 11 is not your friend.

Re:Redundancy != Safety

[richie2000]

If you think the solution is obvious, you don't understand the problem.

Obviously, the solution is to understand the problem in the first place.

Re:The REAL reason they failed

[Anonymous Coward]

Clippy: It looks like you want to install a new solar array. Do you want help with that?

Re:They didn't bring the right travel adapters.

[CodeBuster]

Which every audiophile knows requires a $5000 electro magnetosphere conversion unit to filter the signal for clean power over monster sized gold plated cables with thick carbon fiber shielding.

Re:Duct tape saves the day!

[p00n0s]

A person needs only three tools in life: WD-40, duct tape and a hammer. If it doesn't move and it should, use the WD-40. If it moves and it shouldn't, use the duct tape. If either doesn't work, use the hammer.

Re:Duct tape saves the day!

[Linker3000]

I think it was "Moisture Control for Dummies"

Re:Duct tape saves the day!

[nsebban]

It's been a while since we last heard from you, Mac Giver ! How have you been ? :)

Re:Urgh.

[Anonymous Coward]

Whoosh!

Re:The REAL reason they failed

[CastrTroy]

Which is funny, because I read this as "Why IIS Computers Failed".

Re:They didn't bring the right travel adapters.

[Fex303]

Those cables still have oxygen in them!

It's not just cables that have oxygen in them. Many people don't realize that their listening rooms have oxygen making up a sizable fraction of the air. That oxygen is clearly ruining their listening experience.

I choose to listen to music in a specially-designed, oxygen-free space. You can really hear the increase in clarity and room dynamics. The mid-range sounds a lot brighter too.

Re:The REAL reason they failed

[rbanffy]

"Are you honestly saying that anyone who thinks Vista is decent is a MS shrill?"

Either that or someone whose opinions on operating systems are worthless.